OK bill allowing tattoo shops within 1,000 feet of churches, schools or playgrounds passes House
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)- A Republican-driven bill allowing tattoo and body piercing shops to set up business within 1,000 feet of a church, playground, or school has passed the House.
Representative Nick Archer (R-Elk City) is the author of House Bill 3428.
In addition to the new distance, there will be less requirements for tattoo and body piercing businesses.
In May of 2007, an Oklahoma County District Judge deemed it unconstitutional that a tattoo and body piercing business couldn’t be within walking distance of a church, playground or school. The Judge also ruled it unconstitutional to require those shops to get a $100,000 surety bond.
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An Oklahoma Tattoo Operator Bond is a type of surety bond required by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The bond guarantees that the tattoo operator will comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of the state, and that they will pay all fees and taxes due to the state.
The bond is also meant to protect the state’s residents from any losses resulting from the tattoo operator’s failure to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
However, state law has stated otherwise in relation to both aspects.
“If there is a bad outcome and a secondary infection from a tattoo or body piercing or something, what is the coverage of liability that they have? Do they have insurance? Professional malpractice insurance?,” asked Representative Carl Newton (R-Cherokee).
Rep. Archer responded by saying those shops should have those insurance policies.
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If a parlor is in violation of state law though, a permanent injunction can be issued that could shut down the business.
With a majority vote for, the bill passed the House and will now head to the Senate for further deliberation.
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